Whereas many readers think about the Justice League the flagship superhero crew of DC Comics, that spot was as soon as held by the Justice Society of America. As the primary superhero crew in comedian e book historical past, the JSA has performed host to a few of the best heroes within the firm’s roster, with Batman, Superman and Surprise Girl all having served. Having been round for over eight a long time, the crew have one of many richest collections of adventures in comics.
The Justice Society could not have the eye or fame within the mainstream because the Justice League, however their place within the DC Universe is past query. The crew represents the worth the corporate has traditionally positioned on legacy and historical past, one thing accentuated by the older heroes’ mentorship of youthful characters. Having made their presence identified in some current occasions, the crew’s adventures are nonetheless a few of the greatest in comics, and supply readers a mix of fantasy, sci-fi, struggle and motion.
10 Ultimate Justice
Begins in Hawkman #27 by Robert Venditti, Fernando Pasarin, Olclair Albert, Wade Von Grawbadger, Jeromy Cox, and Rob Leigh
Throughout Robert Venditti’s tenure on Hawkman, he concluded Carter Corridor’s journey by sending each him and Hawkwoman again to the Golden Age. Now unable to reincarnate, the hero is frozen with concern when confronted along with his Injustice Society foes, however his JSA teammates handle to avoid wasting the day. Coming to phrases with mortality, he and Shayera reunite with their buddies, solely to be confronted by Hath-Set on a practice.
“Ultimate Justice” is pure fan service to readers, taking the Hawks again to one of the best years of their lives and delivering readers a wonderful reunion. Contemplating what number of JSA tales are set within the current day, seeing them again within the Golden Age is a delight – even when the story is usually targeted on the Hawks.
9 The Dangerous Seed
Begins in Justice Society of America #29 by Invoice Willingham, Lilah Sturges, Jesús Merino, Allen Passalaqua, and Rob Leigh
“The Dangerous Seed” follows the JSA locked in an all-out struggle as a crew of villains makes an attempt to say a bounty on their heads – simply as they settle for two new members. When the crew is sabotaged, they notice they have been betrayed by one in every of their very own, resulting in a confrontation with the turncoat and division throughout the crew.
In “The Dangerous Seed,” the heroes are attacked on their very own turf, throwing the crew into disarray and bringing them to the brink of defeat. Not solely does the story discover the histories of a number of members of the JSA, relationship again to their World Warfare II actions, it additionally expands their ranks. For readers searching for an action-packed journey, this story is a superb place to start out.
8 Axis of Evil
Begins in Justice Society of America #34 by Invoice Willingham, Travis Moore, Dan Inexperienced, Allen Passalaqua, and Rob Leigh
The Justice Society aren’t any strangers to tussling with Nazis, however within the story “Axis of Evil,” they’re pressured to deal with a crew of fascist supervillains, the Fourth Reich, who try and implement absolute Nazi rule. They aim the JSA as an act of revenge for his or her heroism in World Warfare II and to make sure no person is round to defeat them. Because the villains result in totalitarian rule, it is right down to the JSA to defend freedom and topple the oppressors as soon as once more.
“Axis of Evil” brings the traditional struggle of the JSA towards Nazis into the current, and highlights a few of DC’s most despicable villains, like Captain Nazi. The story delivers a Man Within the Excessive Tower-style dystopian future for readers, following the heroes in a resistance towards Nazi overlords – as Mr. Terrific infiltrates the villains from inside.
7 Black Adam and Isis
Begins in Justice Society of America #23 by Geoff Johns, Jerry Ordway, Bob Wiacek, Hello-Fi, and Rob Leigh
Within the aftermath of his conquest of Kahndaq in the course of the “Black Reign” story, Black Adam begins to ponder his future function as chief and his violent previous. This inner battle involves a head when he meets Adrianna Tomaz, a brave citizen whose kindness impacts him. In response, he invokes the powers of the Egyptian gods, who flip Adrianna into the fashionable incarnation of Isis. Nonetheless, when she’s killed, Adam resurrects her, resulting in her return as a corrupted, evil model of herself – prompting JSA intervention.
Though Teth-Adam steals the present, “Black Adam and Isis” shortly garnered a fame as one of many best-written JSA tales of the 2000s – and one in every of DC’s most satisfying arcs of the time total. The story is greatest loved along with each “Black Reign” and Adam’s story in 52, all of which kind a whole saga of the antihero’s rule over Kahndaq.
6 Princes of Darkness
Begins with JSA #46 by David S. Goyer, Geoff Johns, Sal Velluto, Bob Almond, John Kalisz, Heroic Age, and Ken Lopez
“Princes of Darkness” follows the JSA as Mordru escapes his imprisonment, allying with Eclipso in his bid to overcome the world. Threatening the tip of life as they comprehend it, the heroes come collectively in a bid to repel the overwhelming energy of two of DC’s strongest magicians. As a way to save the world, they’re pressured to separate into two groups, each confronting the 2 supervillains, climaxing in an epic battle.
“Princes of Darkness” stands out as one of many crew’s most epic adventures in historical past, with the heroes venturing into the Shadowlands, a land of dwelling nightmares. The story additionally makes Shazam a key member of the crew, delivering probably the greatest magic-themed tales in trendy DC historical past.
5 JSA/JSA
Begins in JSA #68 by Geoff Johns, Don Kramer, Keith Champagne, John Kalisz, and Ken Lopez
“JSA/JSA” follows a number of of the youthful Justice Society crew members as they’re transported again in time to 1951, following their suspicions that the timeline is being altered. There, they encounter the unique crew in its prime, albeit going through the specter of being disbanded by the federal government in an period the place McCarthyism runs rampant. When Degaton is revealed because the perpetrator, it comes right down to Johnny Thunder and his genie, Thunderbolt, to set issues proper.
“JSA/JSA” is a superb exploration of the crew’s previous, exploring the JSA in the course of the tumultuous Fifties whereas underneath investigation and uniting two generations of the crew. Utilizing parts of political drama blended with a time journey caper, the story delivers some sensible fan service by having the fashionable members struggle alongside the crew’s founders of their heyday.
4 Black Vengeance
Begins in JSA #73 by Geoff Johns, Don Kramer, Keith Champagne, John Kalisz, and Rob Leigh
“Black Vengeance” serves as a direct sequel to the “Black Reign” arc and focuses on two key character journeys. Atom Smasher is on a quest for redemption and forgiveness from his JSA allies for having sided with Black Adam. The Spectre, now with out a human host, is in the meantime pushed solely by his must punish the depraved, main him to focus on Adam in Kahndaq. On the climax of the story, each of those arcs intersect in a poignant reminder of the distinction between justice and vengeance.
“Black Vengeance” stands as each an excellent sequel and a enjoyable standalone story, one which casts the Spectre because the unlikely villain of the story. For readers who benefit from the tensions between the JSA and Black Adam and need to higher perceive their competing philosophies, this stands as an incredible story – in addition to Atom Smasher’s best hour.
3 Disaster on Earth-X
Justice League of America #107 by Len Wein, Dick Dillin, and Dick Giordano
“Disaster on Earth-X” is without doubt one of the many annual crossovers between the JLA and JSA from the Silver and Bronze Ages, one which follows the heroes to an Earth the place the Nazis gained World Warfare II. There, the Nazi overlords are resisted by Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters, JSA-inspired heroes who struggle fascist metahumans. On this concern, the Germans handle to incapacitate heroes from Earth-0 and Earth-2, leaving Batman and a handful of heroes to crew up with Uncle Sam.
“Disaster on Earth-X” stands out as probably the greatest crossovers of the Bronze Age, casting the JSA and JLA as liberators of a fascistic dystopia. Not solely did the story pave the way in which for many years of Freedom Fighters adventures, but it surely additionally targeted on heroes of decrease energy ranges, exploring their braveness in a world rife with hazard.
2 Stealing Thunder
Begins in JSA #32 by David S. Goyer, Geoff Johns, Peter Snejbjerg, John Kalisz, Heroic Age, and Ken Lopez
On the subject of tales that characterize the attraction of the Justice Society of America, few adventures come as shut as “Stealing Thunder.” The story arc follows the heroes as they journey to a timeline the place the Extremely-Humanite now dominates the planet, even controlling the minds of Justice League heroes like Superman. With Wildcat and Alan Scott planning an escape from captivity, Hourman, Shazam, and the others meet up with the resistance and plan a struggle for freedom.
Whereas it does require some prior studying, “Stealing Thunder” stands out as arguably the best JSA story of all time, exhibiting the heroes at their absolute best. Not solely does the story give every of the crew’s members a second within the solar, it additionally exhibits the Extremely-Humanite to be the real menace that he’s.
1 Black Reign
Begins in JSA #56 by Geoff Johns, Don Kramer, Keith Champagne, John Kalisz, Hello-Fi, and Invoice Oakley
“Black Reign” sees the JSA divided as Black Adam turns towards his previous crew because of wanting a stronger, extra interventionist strategy to combating threats. This rift results in the formation of the antihero’s personal crew, the Black Reign, who promptly stage a coup in Kahndaq, which they set up as their base of operations. Nonetheless, this strategy incurs the wrath of the principle crew.
“Black Reign” has proved to be such an iconic and influential story that it served as the first foundation for the DCEU Black Adam film. From pitting Hawkman towards the fallen Champion of Shazam to delving into geopolitics throughout the DCU and showcasing the villain’s motives, the story stays a contemporary traditional for the Justice Society of America.
Justice Society of America
The Justice Society of America is a DC Comics superhero crew initially conceived in the course of the Forties and featured a mixture of varied heroes all through DC Comics’ continuity. All through the a long time and through trendy relaunches of the JSA, new members have been cycled out and in of the crew, with heroes reminiscent of Stargirl, Cyclone, Wildcat, and Atom Smasher becoming a member of the ranks.
- Author
- Gardner Fox, Sheldon Mayer
- Inker
- Everett E. Hibbard
- Colorist
- Everett E. Hibbard
- Writer
- DC Comics
- Writer(s)
- DC
